The Art of Negotiation

A guide to Mergers and Acquisitions

As a layman in the field of business and finance, I had a genuine struggle to understand this drama. Especially since this entire drama revolves around Mergers and Acquisitions. But the writers managed to make it more understandable in their own way by trying to simplify the story in many areas, which is why I see it as more of an educational drama about Mergers and Acquisitions.

Despite all the complexities, I should say I enjoyed it. In between all the complex M & A jargon, the story also buries a deep secret. We get a male lead, with an agenda and a goal, trying to unravel a mystery that happened several years back. Then there are his very loyal team members, weridos but a reliable team. Then we have a "bad guy" we can hate with passion throughout the 12 episodes.

The story may be difficult to understand, but I found myself making the effort to keep up with their business deals. Which is kind of a new experience in the world of kdrama. Sometimes, I find myself torn between trying to enjoy this drama and understanding the logic behind M & A.

All in all, it was a good drama, and as alway,s the cast did a great job!

Read More

Unexpectedly Brilliant

This drama is so knowledgeable yet so entertaining. I like the personal touch with every member, it's the perfect amount. We get to know about their life as well; it's like living in the drama with every member not just with the main leads. I am able to connect with every member but not in a way that is exhausting and frustrating; for example those scenes in Japan where we see Choi Jin Su and Hirose Haruka together exploring the city, getting to know each other and Hirose Haruka having a small role still had some weight and importance which was delivered as well which would have normally been missed. We get more insight and the scenes are shot and the atmosphere is created in a way that looks more real life. The acting of every actor is also on point. We don't get to see many series like this. This one doesn't even have that high end soundtrack or that unrealistic achievements that the main lead makes or any crazy cinematography but still captures the essence so well and delivers every scene so well. (i am currently at episode 9)
(I have completed watching the drama just now) OOhh my god!! The suspense. I can't wait to watch what happens next.
As I have already said and also would like to add that the story, lines delivery, suspense, reality of events, knowledge,...... was all spot on.
Even though it was not high end on production or sound, the story, the acting, the visuals, script, everything was soo good that it overshadowed the need for high end production which we see these days in most popular dramas.
They were so well served that the facts, financial insights, etc didn't fell bothersome. I didn't skip a part of them. On top of which, now that i have finished the drama I have gained so much knowledge that it feels even better.
Also, I would like to point out that adding the junior in the team was a brilliant idea because the confusions he faced and the questions he asked would never have come up it the already experienced members were only in the team.
Can't wait to see what happens next.
Also, Yun Ju No looks good in grey hair and made him stand out.
Well done everyone:))

Read More

it's a perfect drama and you will love it!

What a journey! The drama had me on the edge of my seat. I have to say the storyline is just perfect, and you don't get bored at all. I would say the exact opposite; as the 12 episodes finished, I was like, "Watch! I want more!" The production, colors, and acting are great.

I like the M&A and how they fought against the whole company. Ju No's negotiation skills are just on another level. I like how they got through every task, which always helped someone in the end. It was not only about getting money but they put their heart into it as well. Some of the executives had my blood boiling, especially the chairman and Ha Tae, as they did not understand that they were trying to save the company and that meant their jobs. Money takes the heart......

The ending was perfect. It made me scream and laugh at the same time as he walked through the door. Also, it's a great opening for another season, if there will be one.
I am a little surprised that the rating is so low and it's not very popular.
It reminds me of *Hot Stove League*, which is one of my favorite dramas.

Read More

Revenge in a world run by money

I wanted something different from romance so I watched the first episode. I instantly got hooked with it. I mean when you see a white haired guy, won't it catch your attention. Anyway, other than synopsis, the casting was enough for me to watch the pilot episode and it did not disappoint. Although nothing crazy happened, it was not needed, everyone acted really well and I felt like I was watching real people rather than characters. The story was intriguing from start to end. It's always cool to watch someone be perfect in the corporate world. I have nothing to say about it really, it's better to watch it yourself. It's a great drama if you are bored of the same old usual.

Read More

Solid story with a great cast

I started this drama cos the story was unique and nothing like I'd yet watched and I'm happy I gave it a try. I didn't have a single problem with the cast and asides from the first episode, the BGM never gave me any problems and I really liked the opening song, listened to it every single time.
The idea was good and I learned a bit about M&A, like it's not as emotionless and cold as I used to imagine. There's actually a lot of feelings and considerations when it comes to selling or giving up an asset even if it'll enrich you. I think Yoon's team did a good job of being considerate, infact it was far more than I'd expected but ultimately not unreasonable to me as a novice to such things.

Eps 7&8 were my favorite episodes of them all and really the peak as I didn't enjoy the final four very much.
I'm not really a fan of the revenge theme. I do understand the idea of an overarching story but I wasn't expecting it and didn't love it. I really liked the idea of a company in trouble bringing the best in his field to help them out and the resultant friction that could cause within a company such as that but the whole 'ex-employee revenge thing' just tired me out and I ended up watching the last two episodes in disjointed bits.

Its still a solid show and I might even check it out if it gets a second season because when the show was good it was really interesting and engaging and if you don't mind the revenge thing then you might enjoy it all the way to the end. (But I doubt I'll be rewatching this one again.)

Special shout-out to the production crew, the show was lovely to look out.
Professional looking people within a very polished and beautiful world (great cinematography.)
Chairman Song was an interesting character and I think the actor did a great job.
Lee Je Hoon was just a joy to the eyes. I loved the white hair, he looked ethereal atimes and his acting was good but I have to say my favorite character was O Sun Yeong whenever he was around, he looked so effortless and gentle especially his eyes and his voice is so soft and I guess I just liked him.

Read More

Realistic and Compelling Storyline

This series strikes a great balance between being realistic and mysterious, which makes it super interesting to watch. The story moves at just the right speed—not too fast or slow—so it keeps you hooked. And I’ve got to say, Lee Je-hoon’s white hair really adds something special to his character. It makes him stand out and is even more fascinating to watch!

It’s an excellent start, focusing on boardroom drama and business deals in the complex world of Korean companies. There’s also a bit of mystery around the main character’s past and what’s driving him.

This isn’t a romance, which is a nice change of pace. Viki might call it a “thriller,” but don’t worry—it’s not scary. You’ll just need to pay attention to follow the story and understand some of the behind-the-scenes corporate twists.


Read More: https://www.dramadaze.com/the-art-of-negotiation-kdrama-review/

Read More

A very refreshing story

*This is my first ever review so proceed with caution*

I've been in a Kdrama slump for a long while, my longest to date, so when this drama popped up on my suggested list I added it to my watchlist without thinking much of it. Then a few days later, I saw it again and something in me was very drawn to it. I started watching it without even reading the summary and that was the best decision I've made this week.

This drama has a very interesting plot that I thoroughly enjoyed. The casting and acting were as close to perfection as it can get (I guess it's because a good majority of the actors are veteran actors). The pacing was okay, I'm a little impatient so having to wait until almost the end for the "big case" with random snippets here and there was a little frustrating for me but I don't say that to take away anything from the writing of the drama, just a personal preference.
So, if you enjoy business dramas with a healthy-ish amount of suspense this one is for you.

*There are spoilers from here :)*
Story
As I said earlier, the premise of this drama was so unique to me. While watching the drama I guess I understood why the title used the word "art". Yun Jun Ho's (YJH) team were strategic and patient with a lot of back and forth with the clients and we got to go on this journey with them. The negotiation process was portrayed so realistically and I liked it didn't have the usual drama storyline of always achieving what they set out to do (like when they acquired Cha Cha games as a game company as well as a company to develop an e-commerce platform ). Whether this is realistic or not I'm not entirely sure, maybe someone in the business world can comment and let me know.
When the drama started and the amount the company owed was revealed, I damn near fell off my seat (I checked the synopsis and turns out it's in the summary! Reminder to always read those). A debt of 11 trillion won or 11 billion dollars and a company that didn't really have a concrete plan on how to navigate the situation was mind-boggling, but by the first episode you can see why. The directors were so incompetent and only had the purpose of playing to Mr Ha's tunes. They were very unlikeable throughout the drama, but I guess that was the point.
This drama doesn't have the usual "dirty plotting" that most business makjangs have. The producers could put a "No one was hurt in the making of this drama" banner on the poster and that would hold true. I expected at least some extreme mudslinging and fighting but there was none of that. I was glad that the drama maintained that calm atmosphere throughout, almost as if all the directors chose a freeze response to the imminent danger. There was also no awkward and randomly written funny moments that sometimes serve as a sorry attempt at comic relief. Both these factors made it a refreshing drama.
One thing I didn't like was the characters repeating the explanation of business terms or concepts at length. Once is okay twice or thrice starts to feel like a classroom.
The other aspects of the storyline were good and the only reason I took out half a point was the ending. The plot-twist I was expecting was something along the lines of the chairman's son being revealed and it being Theo or someone else but the one they chose was downright preposterous. Why would the PPF hire a man who participated in stock manipulation and was essentially a failed CFO? And as a director at that? The other detail that ruined the ending was that Director Ha was not investigated for stock manipulation although that is a criminal offence and Yun Jun Ho had to go to the prosecution for that. Make it make sense! I can understand that they were laying the groundwork for a second season, but that direction was so off-putting I don't think I'd be interested in watching.


Cast
I loved the acting of the entire cast but of course there are two characters that stood out to me:
*Lee Je Hoon as Yun Jun Ho was so good (although he pushed his glasses up an unhealthy number of times, coming from someone who wears glasses). He was reticent and that gave him an air of calmness around him. Such characters can sometimes be frustrating in dramas especially when they are supposed to be in a team but what I liked about him was that he almost always kept his team in the loop of what he was doing.
The hair and make up team deserve a huge pat on the back. That white hair was so striking, and the makeup was so perfectly well matched that I could not take my eyes off of him the entire time. Which begs the question, was the hair a wig? If so, that was the most flawless I've ever seen. Also, the fact that he had greyish hair in the past and white in the present was such an amazing detail that really helps viewers distinguish between the two timelines without obvious texts or saturation changes that they do in other dramas (you know what I mean, I'm not very well-versed in Filmography terms).

*Jang Hyun Sung as Director Ha was sooooooo frustrating. He played the role so well that I didn't want to see his face a good majority of the time. That conniving man did f all in that company and was also in bed with the PPF (and not with the intention of fostering a good relationship between the two companies). He was so dishonest that the only time he told the truth was when he tried to attack YJH in the end and said, " I made the company what it is today". He was right, he made the company a debt-ridden barely function company. I know it's not entirely his fault but I'm choosing to blame him because I don't like him. I just hate that he didn't get the comeuppance he deserved.


Music
I gave the music a 5 because I don't remember hearing any songs in the drama except the one in the last episode and what even was that ???


All in all, a good and enjoyable drama to watch!

Read More

An Entertaining Watch if you know the Nuances of Stock Trading!

If you are into stock trading, then you could learn a lot from this show; it isn’t just about saving a company from bankruptcy!

I admit that I wasn’t exactly enamored by this show after watching the pilot episodes; I failed to understand its charm. The slow pacing does take a lot away from the storytelling but gradually the characters grown on you: especially Yun Ju No. Infamous as the “White Snake”, everyone in the company is awry of him. The company directors believe that he is here to get him fired while the Group Chairman doesn’t take him seriously. Caught in the midst of these almost comical characters, Yun Ju No is tasked with the impossible task of saving Sanin Group from bankruptcy. He tries his best while secretly investigating the reasons that pushed his brother to suicide. “The Art of Negotiation” just doesn’t focus on his negotiation skills, it is more than that. Yun Ju No has a humane touch in most negotiations, unlike the cutthroat persona that his peers have build for him. He is competent but sadly misunderstood and misjudged.

Read the complete article here-

https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/04/17/the-art-of-negotiation-series-review/#more-1747

Read More

Strategy, Power, and Leverage. Such an Intelligent and unmissable Drama!

Updated review 19 Apr

The drama’s premise is intriguing, focusing on the psychological and strategic elements of negotiation —a genre that interests me. The writing is well-crafted with dialogues that highlight the real art of negotiation—power dynamics and leverage, empathy, poker face, and tactical thinking.

As the drama unfolds, it promises to delve deeper into the art and ethics of negotiation. I hope that this is one of those dramas that you can truly learn from, just like Itaewon Class, which tackled business strategy.

Plot: The drama excels in portraying negotiation as a multifaceted art, emphasizing the importance of understanding the opposing party’s motivations to secure leverage.

What can you learn from this drama that could be applied in real life?
Psychological Insight Over Force:
Joo-no’s approach hinges on psychological manipulation rather than brute force. He observes body language, personal histories, and even hobbies (e.g., a CEO’s obsession with video games) to tailor his strategy. A standout moment involves him leveraging a rival’s fear of public scandal to secure favorable terms, showcasing how knowledge of human behavior drives success.

The M&A team’s diversity—ranging from a risk-averse lawyer to an idealistic intern—mirrors real-world collaboration. Their debates (e.g., prioritizing short-term gains vs. long-term trust) reflect how team synergy enhances negotiation outcomes

Joo-no’s team researches stakeholders’ hidden agendas. For instance, in the Sanin Construction deal, Joo-no discovers that the buyer’s CEO prioritizes legacy over profit, allowing him to reframe the negotiation around preserving the company’s heritage

Realism: Technical jargon is simplified through character interactions (e.g., Jin-soo’s rookie questions), making complex M&A concepts accessible

Acting and Performance:
Lee Je-hoon has solidified his reputation as one of South Korea’s most versatile actors, blending technical precision with raw emotional power.
Lee’s performances thrive on layered subtlety. In The Art of Negotiation, his micro-expressions—a flicker of hesitation, a calculated pause—reveal Joo-no’s internal battles between ethics and ambition.

What could be improved?
Underdeveloped Subplots: Some team members’ backstories (e.g., intern Jin-soo) feel rushed, limiting emotional investment

Read More

The male lead holds the power in negotiations that determine whether one survives or perishes!!

"The Art of Negotiation" is a captivating drama that explores the complexities of human
interactions and decision-making.....

***The storyline is engaging, with well-developed characters who face moral dilemmas and tough choices.***
***The drama effectively balances tension and emotional depth without giving away too much too soon.***
***What stood out to me was the strong performances by the cast and the thoughtful portrayal of negotiation tactics.***
***However, there were moments where the pacing felt a bit slow.

***Overall, "The Art of Negotiation" is a thought-provoking drama that offers a unique perspective on the
complexities of human relationships. It's definitely worth a watch for those who enjoy character-driven stories!!!!

Read More

Sub par Ending

I rarely taking my time to write a review after finish watching the entire series, but for this one... I feel it's an obligation to put my thoughts on it.

** If you're planning to watch the series, do it at your own risk

1st of all, we all know why we are watching the series - Lee Je Hoon is the main cast. Homie working hard carrying the whole series on his shoulder, even though it's lacking the thrill of the story. I couldn't help but to say all his previous work is better than this one.

2nd, the plot is literally non existent. Every week, Yoon Joo No was tasking to save Sanin from the bankruptcy, the same company that kicking him out from M&A team because he was a suspect in manipulating the JUMBO stocks market... He's done so much every week for Sanin, and yet the plot was done without showing the reasons why he done that for the same company that kicking him to the curb before. A total failure in my eyes since it's a zero buildup in the storyline

3rd, The final 2 episodes - After 10 episodes of progress, the climax is Director Ha decides to drag Joo No into disciplinary meeting to talk about JUMBO pharmacy?! What kind of story progress is that!? If this is the climax, they should end it in 4 episodes MAX! 2 Episode for the pilot week, and another 2 episode to talk about the JUMBO Pharmacy and how Director Ha is the one who responsible for the scandal. There's literally no reason to sit through the M&A weekly tasks just to reach to this kind of Climax!

4th, ZERO Character Development - The story keeps running gossip about Joo No is the chairman son or son in law because what's happen in the office when we all know he's not even related to the Chairman Song. So I literally have no idea why they need to run a rumors in the office when it didn't add any character value in the story.


Overall, it's a good series, as long as you're not putting too high of expectations of the story as a whole.

Read More

Taxi Driver in corporate suit

It's like watching Taxi Driver in corporate playground and in an immaculate suit. He is always one step ahead of his adversaries. He doesn't show his cards or emotions. He is like Patrick Jane (played by Simon Baker) character in the 'Mentalist' drama who is very observant on tiny clues and details. He is also like Jack Trainer (played by Harrison Ford) in 'Working Girl' movie, where he is creative problem solver, doing strategic thinking and collaboration rather than aggressive corporate tactics of a corporate raider. He is also an enigma with scene of married life and deaths in his family. I hope there is possible romance with Company Owner Kwak who seems to like him.

Read More